WWALS Watershed Coalition

WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc. (WWALS) is Suwannee RIVERKEEPER® WWALS advocates for conservation and stewardship of the surface waters and groundwater of the Suwannee River Basin and Estuary, in south Georgia and north Florida, among them the Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, Santa Fe, and Suwannee River watersheds, through education, awareness, environmental monitoring, and citizen activities.

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GA-EPD Enforcement Order for Valdosta wastewater with fine 2020-04-13 [Up]

WWALS blog posts:

The Order, EPD-WP-8904, in PDF:

If you think there should be more or changed requirements, the Public Comment period ends May 27, 2020.

Send comments to:
Mr. Lewis Hays
Manager, Watershed Compliance
Environmental Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 1152 East, Atlanta, GA 30334
Lewis.Hays@dnr.ga.gov
404-463-4953

[Photo 1: Site where sewage flowed out of manhole into Sugar Creek.]
Photo 1: Site where sewage flowed out of manhole into Sugar Creek.

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

Pictures

EPD-WP-8904-for-Public-Notice

[Withlacoochee and Mud Creek Water Pollution Control Plants (hereinafter,
Withlacoochee and Mud Creek Water Pollution Control Plants (hereinafter,
PDF

[O.C.G.A. § 12-5-23 of the Water Quality Act, assigns the Director the authority]
O.C.G.A. § 12-5-23 of the Water Quality Act, assigns the Director the authority
PDF

History

[on April 10, 2014, a Notice of Violation (hereinafter, “NOV”) was issued]
on April 10, 2014, a Notice of Violation (hereinafter, “NOV”) was issued
PDF

[from December 2, 2018 to December 17, 2018... Respondent reported an estimated total 21,814,000 gallons of raw sewage and rainwater discharged to the Withlacoochee River]
from December 2, 2018 to December 17, 2018... Respondent reported an estimated total 21,814,000 gallons of raw sewage and rainwater discharged to the Withlacoochee River
PDF

[on December 9, 2019, the Respondent reported a spill totaling 7.59 million gallons of raw sewage...]
on December 9, 2019, the Respondent reported a spill totaling 7.59 million gallons of raw sewage...
PDF

[Respondent did not notice the error by EMC during its daily routine...]
Respondent did not notice the error by EMC during its daily routine...
PDF

Violations & Civil Penalties

[Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division finds the fish kill in Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River ... estimated 1,536 fish]
Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division finds the fish kill in Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River ... estimated 1,536 fish
PDF

Conditions

[Fine and CMOM]
Fine and CMOM
PDF

[sewer assessment, infrastructure hrehabilitiation, SOPs, emergency plan]
sewer assessment, infrastructure hrehabilitiation, SOPs, emergency plan
PDF

[creek crossing pipe inspection, hydraulic model,]
creek crossing pipe inspection, hydraulic model,
PDF

[corrosion control, enforcement by Respondent, CMOM coordinator, check-in sheet, implementaiton schedules]
corrosion control, enforcement by Respondent, CMOM coordinator, check-in sheet, implementaiton schedules
PDF

[revise SOPs, update spill reporting]
revise SOPs, update spill reporting
PDF

[update spill sampling; online posting is required]
update spill sampling; online posting is required
PDF

[WWTP catch basin, employee training, weekly sampling GA 133, US 84]
WWTP catch basin, employee training, weekly sampling GA 133, US 84
PDF

[public education, permanent WQ station at US 84, sewer rehabilitation, finish SCADA system]
public education, permanent WQ station at US 84, sewer rehabilitation, finish SCADA system
PDF

[Prioritize & complete sewer rehabilitation; generators, progress reports]
Prioritize & complete sewer rehabilitation; generators, progress reports
PDF

[Permit Compliance & This Order is subject to public notice and comment]
Permit Compliance & This Order is subject to public notice and comment
PDF

[Noncompliance & Force Majeure]
Noncompliance & Force Majeure
PDF

[written notice of as to the anticipated length (if known) and cause of any delay due to Force Majeure]
written notice of as to the anticipated length (if known) and cause of any delay due to Force Majeure
PDF

[Additional Conditions]
Additional Conditions
PDF

[Signed for City of Valdosta, W. Darryl Muse, Utility Director, 4.13.20]
Signed for City of Valdosta, W. Darryl Muse, Utility Director, 4.13.20
PDF

Attachment A

[Sanitary Sewer System Spills, April 8, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2019]
Sanitary Sewer System Spills, April 8, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2019
PDF

[(1 of 3) A.1 - Spills After Withlacoochee Relocation]
(1 of 3) A.1 - Spills After Withlacoochee Relocation
PDF

[(2 of 3) A.1 - Spills After Withlacoochee Relocation]
(2 of 3) A.1 - Spills After Withlacoochee Relocation
PDF

[(3 of 3) A.1 - Spills After Withlacoochee Relocation]
(3 of 3) A.1 - Spills After Withlacoochee Relocation
PDF

Attachment B

[Permit Violations 2014-04-08 -- 2019-12-31]
Permit Violations 2014-04-08 -- 2019-12-31
PDF

[(1 of 2) Mud Creek & Withlacoochee WTP Violations]
(1 of 2) Mud Creek & Withlacoochee WTP Violations
PDF

[(1 of 2) Mud Creek & Withlacoochee WTP Violations]
(1 of 2) Mud Creek & Withlacoochee WTP Violations
PDF

Attachment C

[Fish Kill Investigation, DNR Wildlife Div., 2019-12-18]
Fish Kill Investigation, DNR Wildlife Div., 2019-12-18
PDF

[Fisheries Management Section — Waycross Office]
Fisheries Management Section — Waycross Office
PDF

[Both individuals also immediately noticed a pungent odor and evidence that a pulse of water]
Both individuals also immediately noticed a pungent odor and evidence that a pulse of water
PDF

[estimate the total number of fish killed by extrapolation from direct counts on stretches of Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River]
estimate the total number of fish killed by extrapolation from direct counts on stretches of Sugar Creek and the Withlacoochee River
PDF

[The sewage spill had been stopped approximately 24 hours before WRD-FM staff were notified]
The sewage spill had been stopped approximately 24 hours before WRD-FM staff were notified
PDF

[Figure 1. Location ... fish kill ... Sugar Creek ... Withlacoochee Rover 2019-12-10]
Figure 1. Location ... fish kill ... Sugar Creek ... Withlacoochee Rover 2019-12-10
PDF

[Photo 1: Site where sewage flowed out of manhole into Sugar Creek.]
Photo 1: Site where sewage flowed out of manhole into Sugar Creek.
PDF

[Photo 2: Dead largemouth bass in Sugar Creek below Bay Tree Road.]
Photo 2: Dead largemouth bass in Sugar Creek below Bay Tree Road.
PDF

[Photo 3: Black algae on bottom of Sugar Creek below Bay Tree Road.]
Photo 3: Black algae on bottom of Sugar Creek below Bay Tree Road.
PDF

[Photo 4: Confluence of Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River.]
Photo 4: Confluence of Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River.
PDF

[Photo 5: Dead fish in the Withlacoochee River below the confluence of Sugar Creek.]
Photo 5: Dead fish in the Withlacoochee River below the confluence of Sugar Creek.
PDF

[Photo 6: Discolored water in Withlacoochee River below confluence with Sugar Creek.]
Photo 6: Discolored water in Withlacoochee River below confluence with Sugar Creek.
PDF

[Table 1. Water quality parameters ... WRD Fisheries Section fish kill investigation at Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River]
Table 1. Water quality parameters ... WRD Fisheries Section fish kill investigation at Sugar Creek and Withlacoochee River
PDF

[Table 2. Total number of dead fish enumerated and their monetary values]
Table 2. Total number of dead fish enumerated and their monetary values
PDF

[Table 3. WRD Fisheries Section investigative costs associated with a fish kill investigation]
Table 3. WRD Fisheries Section investigative costs associated with a fish kill investigation
PDF

Attachment D

[Response to Notice of Violation 2014-05-19]
Response to Notice of Violation 2014-05-19
PDF

[Causes, by Henry Hicks]
Causes, by Henry Hicks
PDF

[steps to remedy]
steps to remedy
PDF

[aggressive schedule]
aggressive schedule
PDF

Attachment E

[Annual Report 2018-12-27]
Annual Report 2018-12-27
PDF

[Catch basin, Pump Stations, Force Main]
Catch basin, Pump Stations, Force Main
PDF

[Delay catch basin, relocation of WWTP]
Delay catch basin, relocation of WWTP
PDF

[Collection System Evaluation]
Collection System Evaluation
PDF

[Excessive rain delayed catch basin; Manhole Replacement/Rehabilitation Program]
Excessive rain delayed catch basin; Manhole Replacement/Rehabilitation Program
PDF

[Lift Station Rehabilitation, SCADA, generators]
Lift Station Rehabilitation, SCADA, generators
PDF

[Diesel generators, and WWTP repairs]
Diesel generators, and WWTP repairs
PDF

[$80 million invested]
$80 million invested
PDF

Attachment F

[Response to Notice of Violation 2019-03-19]
Response to Notice of Violation 2019-03-19
PDF

[Causes, unfinished rehabilitation projects, by Darryl Muse]
Causes, unfinished rehabilitation projects, by Darryl Muse
PDF

[Catch basin, collection evaluation program]
Catch basin, collection evaluation program
PDF

[Manhole rehab team, SCADA, portable generators]
Manhole rehab team, SCADA, portable generators
PDF

Attachment G

[Capital Improvement Plan]
Capital Improvement Plan
PDF

[Table D-9 High Priority and Follow-On Project Detailed Cost by Basin]
Table D-9 High Priority and Follow-On Project Detailed Cost by Basin
PDF

Attachment H

[H-1: Florida Sewage Spill Notification List]
H-1: Florida Sewage Spill Notification List
PDF

[Florida contacts]
Florida contacts
PDF

[More Florida contacts]
More Florida contacts
PDF

[H-2 Additional Contacts: FDEP, FL Leg., Lowndes Health, Brooks EMA]
H-2 Additional Contacts: FDEP, FL Leg., Lowndes Health, Brooks EMA
PDF

Attachment I

[EPA Region 4 Guide to CTSMOM Programs]
EPA Region 4 Guide to CTSMOM Programs
PDF

[Purpose & Disclaimer]
Purpose & Disclaimer
PDF

[(1 of 3) Table of Contents]
(1 of 3) Table of Contents
PDF

[(2 of 3) Table of Contents]
(2 of 3) Table of Contents
PDF

[(3 of 3) Table of Contents]
(3 of 3) Table of Contents
PDF

[Introduction]
Introduction
PDF

[Documentation, Trained Personnel]
Documentation, Trained Personnel
PDF

[Clean Water Act Violations, Example]
Clean Water Act Violations, Example
PDF

[basic population and inventory information as well as a recent system performance summary.]
basic population and inventory information as well as a recent system performance summary.
PDF

[Recent Performance Summary]
Recent Performance Summary
PDF

[MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, 1. Organization, 2. Training]
MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS, 1. Organization, 2. Training
PDF

[3. Safety]
3. Safety
PDF

[4. Information Management System, 5. Engineering]
4. Information Management System, 5. Engineering
PDF

[This program ensures prospective infrastructure is inspected and evaluated for compliance]
This program ensures prospective infrastructure is inspected and evaluated for compliance
PDF

[v.) Flow Monitoring]
v.) Flow Monitoring
PDF

[i. System Capacity Assurance Program]
i. System Capacity Assurance Program
PDF

[6. Overflow Tracking 7. Financial Analyses]
6. Overflow Tracking 7. Financial Analyses
PDF

[8. Equipment and Supplies 9. Customer Service]
8. Equipment and Supplies 9. Customer Service
PDF

[10. Legal Support 11. Water Quality Monitoring]
10. Legal Support 11. Water Quality Monitoring
PDF

[12. Contingency Plan for Utility Infrastructure]
12. Contingency Plan for Utility Infrastructure
PDF

[b. Response Flow Diagram]
b. Response Flow Diagram
PDF

[OPERATION PROGRAMS]
OPERATION PROGRAMS
PDF

[credible enforcement program: performance measures; and a mechanism for notifying]
credible enforcement program: performance measures; and a mechanism for notifying
PDF

[MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS]
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
PDF

[5. Reactive Maintenance Program]
5. Reactive Maintenance Program
PDF

Attachment J

[Valdosta Response to Meeting 2020-03-05]
Valdosta Response to Meeting 2020-03-05
PDF

[requests a Project In-Lieu of Penalty (PIP).... Okapilco Creek, Knights Ferry, Nankin, State Line, bacterial & DNA]
requests a Project In-Lieu of Penalty (PIP).... Okapilco Creek, Knights Ferry, Nankin, State Line, bacterial & DNA
PDF

[Respectfully, W. Darryl Muse, Utilities Director, City of Valdosta]
Respectfully, W. Darryl Muse, Utilities Director, City of Valdosta
PDF